A Confident Stosch Hopes to Lead Again

Sen. Sen. Walter A. Stosch doesn't seem too worried about the coup being plotted against him in the Senate.

Stosch (R-Henrico) lost his title as Senate majority leader when the Democrats took control of the chamber in the Nov. 6 election. But he still wants to be Senate minority leader.

Some of the more conservative members in his party, including Sen. Ken Cuccinelli II (R-Fairfax), blame Stosch and the other moderate Republican leaders for the loss of four Senate seats and the majority.

Stosch won't exactly commit to having all the votes to remain the leader but he did describe the challenge against him as "a relatively small group."

Some of the names of those who might run against him are Cuccinelli or Stephen D. Newman (R-Lynchburg).

Stosch said he welcomed the opportunity to talk to the other members, and to try to build consensus. "I'm anxious to hear every voice,'' he said.

Senate Republicans will meet Nov. 26 to pick Senate minority leader, whip, GOP president pro tempore, or vice-leader, and chairman.